After the Founding Fathers had written the Constitution and the states ratified it, it was time to put it into effect. A president had to be elected, and the government that had been created for the new nation had to be formed. Life was not always easy and there were challenges for the new government, but the new nation found a way to make it work, and it continues to work today.
Four of the five first presidents were from Virginia. John Adams was from Massachusetts. Use the information below to find out about some of the men who shaped a nation.
John Adams's presidency was full of controversy. He struggled with party politics and a divided nation. His vice president, Thomas Jefferson, was a Democratic-Republican who did not agree with Adams's Federalist views. Go to these links to find out more about Adams's years in the White House.
Madison had been Jefferson's Secretary of State and had written the Constitution. During Madison's time in office the country had to defend itself against England again in the War of 1812. http://www.whitehouse.gov/history/presidents/jm4.html
The First Five Presidents
After the Founding Fathers had written the Constitution and the states ratified it, it was time to put it into effect. A president had to be elected, and the government that had been created for the new nation had to be formed. Life was not always easy and there were challenges for the new government, but the new nation found a way to make it work, and it continues to work today.
Four of the five first presidents were from Virginia. John Adams was from Massachusetts. Use the information below to find out about some of the men who shaped a nation.
George Washington
During George Washington's presidency, the United States changed in many ways. The country experienced change and precedents were set for the new government.
What were some of the accomplishments during George Washington's presidency?
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/historyofus/web02/segment7.htmlhttp://www.whitehouse.gov/history/presidents/gw1.html
http://www.americanpresidents.org/presidents/gwashington.asp
Benjamin Banneker, an African American, made significant contributions to our country during George Washington's presidency. Find out what he did and why he is important.
http://www.americaslibrary.gov/jb/colonial/jb_colonial_banneker_1.html
http://library.thinkquest.org/10320/Banneker.htm
John Adams
John Adams's presidency was full of controversy. He struggled with party politics and a divided nation. His vice president, Thomas Jefferson, was a Democratic-Republican who did not agree with Adams's Federalist views. Go to these links to find out more about Adams's years in the White House.
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/historyofus/web02/segment8.html
http://www.whitehouse.gov/history/presidents/ja2.html
http://ap.grolier.com/article?assetid=a2000150-h&templatename=/article/article.html
Thomas Jefferson
Jefferson's time in office offered great change in the country and was characterized by peace. It was the first time that control of the country changed hands from one group to another. Jefferson accomplished many things that changed the United States forever.http://www.whitehouse.gov/history/presidents/tj3.html
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/historyofus/web02/segment9.html
James Madison
Madison had been Jefferson's Secretary of State and had written the Constitution. During Madison's time in office the country had to defend itself against England again in the War of 1812.
http://www.whitehouse.gov/history/presidents/jm4.html
James Monroe
James Monroe, another Virginian, was the 5th president of the United States. He helped to shape foreign policy and set a precedent that is still used today.
http://www.whitehouse.gov/history/presidents/jm5.html
Find out what the Monroe Doctrine said.
Click the link below to play a game about the 4 presidents on Mount Rushmore, including two of the presidents above.
I want to play the game!
Click the link to find out more about Lewis and Clark, the explorers sent out west by Thomas Jefferson.
Explore with Lewis and Clark!
All of the pictures from this page were taken from The White House website, http://www.whitehouse.gov.
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